Twenty two students began their studies for the priesthood in St Patrick’s College Maynooth yesterday. Welcoming the students, college President Mgr Hugh Connolly quoted the words of Pope Benedict XVI at the recent World Youth Day celebrations in Sydney, saying the men were a sign of hope and renewal for God’s people.
“Yours will be the task of building up the Lord’s house in the coming generation.”
The largest number of students, four, came from the diocese of Cork and Ross, with Dublin, Down and Connor, and Tuam, each sending three candidates for the priesthood.
Armagh sent two and Clogher, Clonfert, Derry, Dromore, Killala, Raphoe and Waterford and Lismore, each sent one seminarian.
Mgr Connolly said the students were about to begin a new and exciting journey, “one that we share with you.”
The time at Maynooth would be one of “tremendous personal growth” where they would “push the boundaries” of their ability, he said.
“ We believe in your ability to progress, to achieve your ambitions and realise your potential. We see our role as facilitators of that development; guiding you on the journey and providing the support and encouragement to help you succeed. Throughout your journey however you will above all be responding to the call of Christ himself who by the Sea of Galilee invited his first disciples with the words ‘Come follow me’,” he added.
Last year, 24 students began their studies for the priesthood, and 26 in 2006.
Approximately 70 students will be studying in the college by the end of September.
At the conclusion of the Introductory Programme at the end of September, four of the new seminarians from Northern dioceses will continue their studies at St Malachy’s College in Belfast.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
No responsibility or liability shall attach itself to either myself or to the blogspot ‘Clerical Whispers’ for any or all of the articles placed here.
The placing of an article hereupon does not necessarily imply that I agree or accept the contents of the article as being necessarily factual in theology, dogma or otherwise.
Sacerdos